@Jorge Armando: Thank you, Jorge! I try my best to keep things interesting. Things are usually cool, but sometimes I completely miss the mark and I'm always sorry when that happens. Hope you're having a good weekend! Cheers!

Of all of the cover songs that I've heard Dream Theater play, my favorites might be the Queen songs (Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley). I really think that the band brought something new to these songs and, likewise, the songs also brought something new and complimentary to Dream Theater. I love the fact that this was a little bit of a stylistic stretch and it worked out well. Unexpected things can be very entertaining. While I'm much more interested in seeing a new Dream Theater album at this time, I can think of a few cover tunes that I wouldn't mind hearing them play someday. Of course, I would want to hear DT interpretations of these songs rather than the exact note for note. If I could suggest an EP of cover material, it might go something like this:

1. "Synchronicity II" by The Police -- Let's kick things off with a lively, infectious song. I think James' voice would sound amazing on this. When I hear the guitar playing of Andy Summers, I get the mental image of someone tossing a Frisbee into the air. I'd like to hear JP capture that feel. There's also a short section of guitar noises toward the end of the song that is supposed to represent the Loch Ness Monster breaching the water's surface. I'm sure John could expand on that part and make it really scary.

2. "Freedom Rider" by Traffic -- Fascinating chord progressions and melodies. A lot of great textures and instrumentation. I could very easily hear this song dolled up and rocked out in Dream Theater fashion with a developing jam in the middle.

3. "Halo of Flies" by Alice Cooper -- One of the most well-written and grossly underrated songs in the Alice Cooper library. This one definitely warrants rediscovery.

4. "Calypso" by John Denver -- I know what you're thinking: Dream Theater cover a John Denver song?!?!? Well, why not? Just because a tune happens to be simple doesn't make it any less important. This song has certain Impressionistic qualities that I think are amazing. It is about an old ship, its voyages, and its devoted crew. Through the music that John Denver wrote, I can envision the ocean breeze filling the sails and feel the salty mist on my face. When the chorus arrives, I can see the men on the deck raising the anchor. Some top-notch singing here as well. Very melodic.

5. "Symphony #40 in G Minor: Molto Allegro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -- I have long thought that the first movement of Mozart's 40th Symphony would sound great in a prog rock setting, the thundering string section arranged for a full band, the driving main melody performed on a searing guitar. I'm sure this would be a tricky undertaking, but I believe that if anyone could pull it off it would be the slick-playing guys of DT.

6. "Riders On the Storm" by The Doors -- Moody. Haunting. Sombre. Whenever I hear this piece, I just get completely absorbed by it. I think it would be great to hear DT create this kind of atmosphere. Also, a great way to close out this little journey into cover songs.

Well, that's my idea for an EP. I really dig the contour that flows from piece to piece. It's a pretty eclectic batch of music that doesn't include anything that would be a glaringly obvious choice for Dream Theater (e.g. Rush, Kansas, Yes), yet I think it would make for a fascinating listen. Unexpected = entertaining. Cheers!